A16PS00041_-_Sources_Sought.pdf

ASSESSMENTS FOR BIE SCHOOLS

Solicitation Number:

A16PS00041

Notice Type:

Sources Sought

Synopsis:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ISSUED TO NATIVE OWNED BUSINESSES WITH THE INTENT TO CONDUCT A MARKET RESEARCH STUDY FOR AN ANTICIPATED ASSESSMENT SERVICES FOR BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION (BIE) STUDENTS IN

SELECTED STATES.

The information received will be used within the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Reston, Virginia, to facilitate the decision making process and will not be disclosed outside of the organization. This announcement is not a request for proposals, but a survey of the market for potential sources. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose other than market research. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

Indian Affairs Central Office, Reston, VA is seeking qualified Indian-owned entities with current relevant experience, personnel, and capability to provide Assessment Management Services IAW the attached

SOW.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of responsible firms that also quality as Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) under the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C. 47) to compete for and perform a Firm Fixed Price Contract for Administration of Assessment Services (primary North American Industrial Classification System NAICS Code 611110 with a size standard of $11 Million, Elementary and Secondary Schools). The vendor will assist the BIE in administering various assessments in Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools, including BIE-operated schools and tribally controlled schools.

The following core responsibilities/deliverables comprise the contract:

1. Procure various assessments

2. Project Management (logistical coordination of assessments with schools)

3. Student Registration (online tool by which students’ and schools’ data may be populated into the assessment system)

4. Reporting (Student test scores)

5. Accounting (for Invoicing)

6. Test Administration Training

7. Consortia membership in specified consortia

Statutes and regulations govern the assessments BIE must use for diagnostic and accountability purposes. Generally, these assessments are determined by the state in which a BIE school is located.

However, some schools may perform accountability determinations using an alternative definition. As such, the following assessments need to be procured and assistance provided to the BIE and its schools concerning all aspects of implementation.

Accountability:

1. Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) assessments

2. Smarter-Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessments

3. Various Science assessments as directed by the BIE

Accountability Alternative Assessments for Students with Significant Cognitive Impairments:

1. Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessments

2. National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) assessments

3. Other Alternative Assessments as determined by the BIE

Diagnostic Assessments:

1. ACCESS for ELLs assessments, by the WIDA Consortium

2. Other ELL and related assessments as determined by the BIE

The contract period shall consist of a 12 month period of performance, with a Base Period and four (4) Option Periods. The type of solicitation to issue will depend upon the responses to this sources sought synopsis. The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsive contractors. Proposed teaming arrangements or other partnering agreements shall identify clearly the primary offeror for determination of responsibility purposes.

REQUEST FOR CAPABILITY STATEMENTS

Interested Buy Indian sources are invited to respond to this sources sought announcement utilizing their company letterhead in a Portable Document Format (PDF).

1. Please provide the following information for your organization:

a. Company Name

b. Company Address

c. Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone/Fax Numbers, Email Address

d. Confirm current Indian-owned Business Status

e. Teaming Agreements (if necessary)

2. Provide a brief description of your organization's capability and approach to contribute to each of the tasks described in the SOW. Submission should address the company's competitive advantages, unique competencies, and offerings.

3. Provide a brief description of your organization's capability and approach to accomplish the tasks described in the statement of work. If the task is not a capability of your organization, propose the best method of task fulfillment through possible arrangements such as subcontracting or contractor teaming arrangements.

4. If possible, identify no more than 3 past or present contracts for services similar to those required herein (preferably Federal Government contracts) and include agency/company name, point of contact, dollar value, period of performance and the services performed.

5. Responses should be no more than 10 pages. Each page shall be formatted for 8 ½ x 11" paper.

Pages shall be single-spaced and one-sided. The font shall be Times New Roman or Arial and no smaller than 10pt with at least one-inch margin on all sides. Covers, tab dividers, title pages, glossaries, and table of contents are not required. The response must be in a Microsoft Word document compatible file with MSOffice 2007. Please submit your responses electronically to Jawaid.Khan@bia.gov. Responses are due not later than 12:00pm local time, Washington, DC on Tuesday, November 17, 2015.

*Responses received after the deadline or without the required information will not be reviewed.* mailto:_____@bia.gov